Common Name:

General Information

Inga capitata is an evergreen tree with a dense, wide, rounded crown; it can grow 4 - 14 metres tall. The crooked bole often branches from low down, it can be 20 - 30cm in diameter[].
The tree is often harvested from the wild for its edible fruit, which is used locally. The tree is sometimes grown in home gardens for this fruit[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; C. America - Costa Rica.

Habitat

Humid forests in the Amazon and Atlantic rainforests of Brazil, where it is most commonly found in the dense regrowth of secondary formations[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a sunny position[]. Plants can withstand seasonal inundation of the soil[].
A fast-growing plant[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - edible[]. The juicy, sweet-tasting, white pulp surrounding the seeds is eaten[]. The yellow seedpod can be 10cm long and 3cm wide[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the leaves is used to restore fertility to sterile women[]. Fertile women abstain from eating the fruit[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing, natural pioneer species in its native habitat, where it yields an edible fruit that is also attractive to local wildlife and fixes atmospheric nitrogen[]. It has good potential for use as a pioneer species in re-establishing woodland[].

Other Uses

The wood is coarse-textured, irregular-grained, light in weight, with a low resistance to wood eating organisms[]. Although easy to work, it has poor mechanical properties and is only suitable for low value items such as packing boxes[].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[]. Sow in a lightly shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A germination rate in excess of 50% can be expected, with the seeds sprouting within 30 - 40 days. Transplant the seedlings to individual containers when they have 4 - 6 leaves and they should be ready for planting out 4 - 5 months later[].

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